It’s been a most unusual year, but Mascot Madness is back! From march 16 to April 7, 33 of our SUNY mascots are once again competing for the title of New York’s favorite college mascot.
Those lovable characters that help our schools and campuses thrive have been hard at work keeping students safe and happy from limited on-campus study to remote learning throughout 2020 and into 2021. What has kept them in top working condition this whole time? We’ve interviewed them all to get caught up with things like how each deals with school operations changing to what they hope for most in the future.
Below we have Region 2.
Ellsworth Eagle | Reggie the Raider | Big Blue | OWwin the Panther | Wolfie Seawolf | JJ Jayhawk | Boomer T. Cannoneer | Victor the Viking
Ellsworth the Eagle – SUNY Brockport
1. Who are you and where do you work?
For those of you who don’t know me, (as I’m assuming most of you do because I’m pretty cool), my name is Ellsworth and I work/live to represent SUNY Brockport as their #1 stan.
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
TBH I am not even sure how to define “busy” anymore. No games to attend, no events to cheer on, in essence, my “busy” days are sitting at home and wondering when I can return to campus. If I am feeling EXTRA busy however, I may swoop onto campus and make a surprise appearance (at a six-foot distance) to keep morale of the students up.
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
At this point, I would take any sport to cheer on. I miss them ALL. I would even cheer on the paint drying competitions.
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
Real talk. Survivor. I found myself cheering on my favorite contestants through all 34 seasons on Hulu (It’s in my blood to be competitive and encouraging. Sorry not sorry). Side note: COVID please go away so I can stop telling people I’ve watched all 34 seasons of Survivor.
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
Does learning how to download the GrubHub and Uber Eats app count?
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
Make sure you’re on mute when you’re about to make any sarcastic comments #AWKWARD, and don’t be that person that exposes yourself by being off mute and singing to the jams you have going on in the background. This isn’t American idol, this is Zoom.
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
Is there really any competition if Brockport is the best?
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
Anyone. Please socialize with me! On a real note though: I can’t wait to eat with students again, especially concession stand food. YAS.
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
We protect the nest and continue to make SMART choices in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.
10. Share your favorite joke.
What bird needs to wear a wig? A bald eagle. Good thing I am a GOLDEN eagle.
Reggie the Raider – Fulton-Montgomery Community College
1. Who are you and where do you work?
I am Reggie the Raider, and I work at Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, NY!
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
It has been a bit lonely! I cheered from a distance for our cross country team and interacted with a few cardboard cut outs. I also have secretly been busy eating all of the concession stand popcorn, can’t let it go to waste!
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
I miss the Rockin’ Raiders Den at the Basketball Games!
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
Way too many to list! But I will go with The Lost Pirate Kingdom on Netflix.
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
Beans and sea biscuits
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
I turn my video on to make the meeting as collaborative as possible and to show off my eye patch! Oh, and don’t forget to mute your mic!
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
I am looking forward to finessing some wins against The Viking of Hudson Valley Community College.
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
I can’t wait to enjoy a meal again in the “Caf” with our students!
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
We are a COVID-19 vaccination site for Fulton County! We have been masking up and social distancing and can’t wait to see more students on campus in 2021!
10. Share your favorite joke.
Why did the pirate buy an eye patch? … Because he couldn’t afford an iPad!
Big Blue – Alfred State College
1. Who are you and where do you work?
I am Big Blue—the #1 fan of Alfred State students, faculty and staff, and alumni.
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I have stayed socially distant during most of the pandemic. I have stayed up in the hills of campus watching students head to and from class. I did have the chance to star in the college holiday video and had a couple chances to wander campus to get some photos taken with current students.
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
It is hard to choose just thing that I have missed. I really missed our Special Olympics Track & Field Spectacular last spring—I love seeing the young athletes compete and interact with our Pioneer student-athletes. I also missed all the activities of Homecoming—we were supposed to have a football game, two soccer games, and a country concert!
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
I started to watch Tiger King but didn’t like how it was going so I stopped. I learned some new Karate moves by watching Cobra Kai and went back and watched every episode of Friends.
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
I worked on becoming an amazing pizza chef—I loved trying new combinations! Who knew healthy toppings and healthy crusts options would taste so good!
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
Put your headphones away properly right after class—if you don’t take care of them you spend way too much time looking for them or untangling them. Also, remember to turn your mute on when you want to contribute to the conversation—nothing more embarrassing than making a good point and no one hearing what you said.
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
We always have great match-ups with SUNY Canton and SUNY Delhi—we aren’t in the same conference but our student-athletes enjoy the battles vs. the Roos and the Broncos.
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
I can’t wait to hang out at the Central Dining Hall with Dr. Sullivan and our students. I miss giving hugs, high-fours, and knuckles.
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
Our health services has done an amazing job with COVID testing. Our students are getting tested and they are doing a great job of keeping our campus as healthy as possible.
10. Share your favorite joke.
Where do milkshakes come from? Nervous cows.
OWwin – SUNY Old Westbury
1. Who are you and where do you work?
OWwin the Panther, born in the woods of our centrally-located, suburban 604-acre campus on Long Island.
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
We have been improving our technological skills by interacting with Panther Nation and showing our Panther Pride virtually!
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
Panther Pride Homecoming, Old Westbury’s annual celebration designed to unite the entire college community.
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
The Pink Panther
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
I am a carnivore, so a lot of meat and venison.
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
Always stay focused and collaborate with your classmates and professors!
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
I am looking forward to competing against anyone! I am fearless!
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
I want to grab a meal with Stony Brook’s Wolfie! I have met mascots throughout the Skyline Conference but have bonded most with Wolfie.
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
Although we spent most of 2020, apart we have been doing virtual 5K activities and workouts from home videos hosted by our own head men’s and women’s cross country coach, Jeff Labiento!
10. Share your favorite joke.
I couldn’t figure out why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
Wolfie Seawolf – Stony Brook University
1. Who are you and where do you work?
Wolfie Seawolf – Stony Brook University on Long Island
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Zoom meetings with teams, trying to get a normal job (Wolfie Goes to Work series), and practicing my moves and routines!
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
Every single event at LaValle Stadium and Island Federal Arena—I can’t wait till we can get back to cheering student-athletes on!
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
I would have to say, Tiger King!
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
Garlic roasted chicken with steamed broccoli and brown rice!
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
Always bring a cup of coffee to a Zoom call, it will help you stay focused!
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
Albany, definitely Albany!
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
With all of our student-athletes here on campus. They have been working hard and patiently waiting so I can’t wait to enjoy a meal with all of them!
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
Mask up, stay distanced, and do our part!
10. Share your favorite joke.
What do you call a wolf that is very conscious of his surroundings? Aware wolf.
JJ Jayhawk – Jamestown Community College
1. Who are you and where do you work?
I’m JJ Jayhawk, and I was born and raised in Jamestown, NY. I represent the freedom that SUNY JCC offers to explore different directions and the ability to transform into the bird that I know every bird can be.
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, I’ve been busy! Social distancing hasn’t limited my ability to fly! I just make sure to keep my mask on at all times.
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
It’s hard for me to pick one! I miss all my fellow Jayhawks equally!
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
The West “Wing”
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
The TikTok #wraphack with extra protein and seasoned with bird seed.
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
“Beak” respectful to your peers and professor by making sure you’re on mute during a lecture.
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
The Fredonia Blue Devil to see who is the best mascot in Chautauqua County!
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
President DeMarte and my fellow Jayhawks!
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
Our Jayhawks have done an AWESOME job in taking advantage of pool testing to keep each other safe!
10. Share your favorite joke.
What did the mouse say walking into a bar full of hawks?
Haaaawkward!
Boomer T. Cannoneer – Jefferson Community College
1. Who are you and where do you work?
BOOMER T. CANNONEER, reporting for duty! I work at Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY. My job is to rally the troops, or “students” as they call them here, and drum up school spirit to help the JCC Cannoneers WIN. BOOM!
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I was JUST HATCHED in February 2021, so I didn’t really experience the pandemic doldrums. Since arriving on campus, I’ve been flying high and checking out the athletic fields, and since our campus is the site for our county’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics, I got to be a chaperone for a day!
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
CAKAAAAAWWWW, SCREEEECH! Sorry, had to clear my throat. Well, baseball season will be my first sports season at SUNY Jefferson, since I’m a new hatchling, an “eaglet” if you will. I can’t wait to get out on the field!
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
While I was incubating in my eggshell this January, I binged Cobra Kai and also watched the Michael Jordan documentary, The Last Dance. All that karate and “MJ” basketball got me PUMPED to head to Watertown to meet my new Cannoneer family! HIYAH! SWOOOOOP! 3-POINTER! CACAAAAWWWW!
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
I’m an eagle so of course I love fish. When I got to Jefferson last month, I discovered the mighty Black River flows through our town, right behind our campus! Do you know what’s in the Black River? SALMON! In the fall, salmon run the Black River to their spawning beds in Lake Ontario, so I’ll be looking forward to some fresh SALMON CEVICHE next lacrosse season!
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
Turning your camera on is number one. Everyone misses face-to-face interaction, so let your teachers and coworkers see you! Also, my eagle-eye likes to spot pets in the background, so bring those furbabies to your next meeting or class.
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
Even though fish are my main source of protein, I LOVE snacking on crunchy treats like chocolate-covered HORNETS, so I’m looking forward to meeting SUNY Broome’s mascot, Stinger! Watch out Stinger! Boomer T. is coming for you!
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
Our women’s volleyball team took home the 2019 MSAC Title and went to Nationals, so I’m thinking I’ll sit down with the Lady Cannoneers volleyball team, enjoy a nice lunch in the courtyard café and soak up some of their winning mojo.
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
I knew I was headed to a good college when I saw JCC on the cover of Community College Journal magazine, featuring a custom window display of our Jules Center that read “STAY SAFE”! When I got here, NYS had just made SUNY Jefferson a dispensing site for the COVID-19 vaccine, so I got to meet thousands of community members in my new gym! How cool is that? Our facilities and IT crew are rockin’ and rollin’ each week, getting set up for all the different providers who come in and administer the shots. Each clinic day brings us one step closer to getting our athletes back in uniform and our students back in the classrooms! SCREEEECH!
10. Share your favorite joke.
Why did the eagle cross the road?
Because he wasn’t a chicken. BOOOOM!!!
Victor the Viking – Hudson Valley Community College
1. Who are you and where do you work?
I am Victor the Viking. After jumping ship on a North American voyage some 600 years ago, I froze in an iceberg that became lodged under the Troy-Menands Bridge. Eventually, in the early 1960s, I thawed and made my way up the hill to Hudson Valley. I represent Hudson Valley Community College, the Capital Region’s largest community college, located in Troy, NY.
2. How have you stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I’ve been keeping up with the college’s new eSports teams and cheering on our students! eSports are the fastest-growing sports on the planet, and our teams are pretty awesome. During this really unusual time, virtual competition is perfect!
3. What sport/activity do you miss cheering your students on in most?
All of them, really! I miss seeing all of our student-athletes more often, but I’m still out and about on campus from time to time to remind people to stay safe and mask up! I’m a proud partner to the Student Senate and leaders in our Student Activities Office. They get me out to see our students, but we have to keep our distance and get tested each week.
4. Favorite TV show/movie you binged during quarantine?
I’m a big fan of Jeopardy! Quarantine was the perfect time to brush up on my trivia skills.
5. What quarantine meal did you learn to make to help keep you strong and healthy?
Though many Vikings love meat, I’ve been working on getting my fruits and veggies in too! Many people don’t realize that Vikings like cabbages, beans, peas and endive, and wild apples and berries too. A wide range of herbs and seasonings help flavor our food, with spices like coriander, cumin, mustard, and wild horseradish to season the dish. It’s been fun learning new recipes that will help give me the boost of energy I’ll need to keep up with all our student athletes once in-person sports come back!
6. Share your best tip to make the most out of a Zoom class or meeting.
For me, it’s all about participation—it can be easy to get distracted during remote learning, but asking questions, collaborating with fellow students, and following up with my professors during virtual office hours helps me get the most out of my classes.
7. Who are you looking forward to competing against again the most?
I’m always up for a challenge, and the competition is steep across the board, but I’d have to say I most look forward to competing against our other local community colleges in the Capital Region: SUNY Schenectady, SUNY Adirondack, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, and Columbia-Greene Community College. A little friendly competition amongst the five capital region community colleges is always a good time!
8. Who do you most want to enjoy a meal with when it’s safe to do so again?
Maybe Reese Harrison, our Student Senate president, or even Hudson Valley’s president, Dr. Ramsammy. He’s a busy guy, but he always makes time to catch up with us Vikings at Hudson Valley—the students and the mascots.
9. What has your school done best to get through 2020 and be ready for 2021?
I think my favorite thing has been how Hudson Valley has given back to others; that’s what we do best. During the pandemic, our students, faculty, staff, and alumni have helped our community out in so many ways. I’m really proud of my fellow Vikings for how they have stepped up to be there for others during such a difficult time for everyone. I know even when the pandemic is over, that’s something that we will keep doing.
10. Share your favorite joke.
Here’s a good one: How do Viking ships communicate with each other???
NORSE code!! Haha! Hmm… maybe this whole social distancing thing is starting to get to me!
Reggie the Raider